This brings up an interesting point (Although only by association). For those who aren't aware of this, the Rainbow Warrior was the flagship of Greenpeace. In 1985 France was testing nuclear weapons at Muroroa Atoll, and the Rainbow Warrior was waiting in Auckland, New Zealand (where I live), in preperation to leave for Mururoa to protest.
On the night of 10 July 1985 two limpit mines attached to the side of the boat were detonated, blowing and 8 foot hole in the side of the ship. Fernando Pereira, a photographer with Greenpeace, died in the blast. Within days two french security officers, Major Alain Mafart and Captain Dominique Prieur, were arrested and duly charged with murder, arson etc, and eventually convicted of manslaughter and arson.
Four other French agents were also implicated in the attack. They presented themselves to the French police, and the French government refused extradition. They are still wanted by the New Zealand Police.
The French press was not satisfied with this, and in the end, in the face of overwhelming evidence French Prime Minister Laurent Fabiu admitted that the French Secret Service ordered the attack. The French Defense Minister duly resigned.
This is the only terrorist attack that has ever occurred on New Zealand soil (or water), and although it clearly pales beside the events of the previous days, but for me it puts some perspective on the American comments about bombing those countries which help terrorists.
Because France is clearly one such country. The people of France had nothing to do with this attack - they did not approve of it, and may never have known it happened if not for luck. But the French government nevertheless not only sponsered terrorism, but actually carried it out with their own people. The French government is a democracy, but Americans now seem to be talking about attacking Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria etc, holding their people responsible for the acts of their dictators?
Would they also attack France?
For more information on the Rainbow Warrior Bombing
http://www.aucklandcitypolice.govt.nz/History/wa rr ior.htm
Slashdot Mirror
This brings up an interesting point (Although only by association). For those who aren't aware of this, the Rainbow Warrior was the flagship of Greenpeace. In 1985 France was testing nuclear weapons at Muroroa Atoll, and the Rainbow Warrior was waiting in Auckland, New Zealand (where I live), in preperation to leave for Mururoa to protest.
a rr ior.htm
On the night of 10 July 1985 two limpit mines attached to the side of the boat were detonated, blowing and 8 foot hole in the side of the ship. Fernando Pereira, a photographer with Greenpeace, died in the blast. Within days two french security officers, Major Alain Mafart and Captain Dominique Prieur, were arrested and duly charged with murder, arson etc, and eventually convicted of manslaughter and arson.
Four other French agents were also implicated in the attack. They presented themselves to the French police, and the French government refused extradition. They are still wanted by the New Zealand Police.
The French press was not satisfied with this, and in the end, in the face of overwhelming evidence French Prime Minister Laurent Fabiu admitted that the French Secret Service ordered the attack. The French Defense Minister duly resigned.
This is the only terrorist attack that has ever occurred on New Zealand soil (or water), and although it clearly pales beside the events of the previous days, but for me it puts some perspective on the American comments about bombing those countries which help terrorists.
Because France is clearly one such country. The people of France had nothing to do with this attack - they did not approve of it, and may never have known it happened if not for luck. But the French government nevertheless not only sponsered terrorism, but actually carried it out with their own people. The French government is a democracy, but Americans now seem to be talking about attacking Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria etc, holding their people responsible for the acts of their dictators?
Would they also attack France?
For more information on the Rainbow Warrior Bombing
http://www.aucklandcitypolice.govt.nz/History/w